Arkon Car Mount With Integrated GPS for SMT5600 and C500 Series

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.arkon.com/smartphonegps.html' target='_blank'>http://www.arkon.com/smartphonegps.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Newer Smartphones continue to offer increasingly powerful features, including the ability to function as stand-alone GPS devices. Through partnerships with leading GPS software companies, Arkon is able to offer complete GPS mounting solutions for Smartphones. New Smartphone products in 2005 will feature Bluetooth® and SiRF II GPS receivers built directly into the phone mount."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-aug05-arkon.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Arkon is announcing the launch of its car mount with integrated GPS for the Audiovox SMT5600 and Orange SPV C500 Smartphones. This unit will be compatible with the other Smartphones from the HTC Typhoon family, like the i-mate SP3 and SP3i. I wish the site had some more information regarding the price and availability. Also, it would be great if the GPS sensor can be removed from the mount. So that you can carry the Smartphone and GPS sensor during your trekking trips. ;-)

[Mike Temporale]

it would be great if the GPS sensor can be removed from the mount. So that you can carry the Smartphone and GPS sensor during your trekking trips. ;-)

Good call. That would make it much better. For that matter, why not just get a standalone bluetooth GPS and a $10 car mount. The GPS doesn't have to sit right beside the phone anyway.

[Kris Kumar]

I have a stand alone GPS, the trouble is the power cables. Too much clutter. If the GPS unit is part of the Car Mount, then there is only one cable. I know it does not sound like much, but 50% reduction in the number of cables is a lot on my dash. ;-)

[ctmagnus]

I don't even use GPS yet (with my current devices, at least) but the cable issue is a real killer. One cable is bearable; more than one cable is insanity.

[Sven Johannsen]

I have a stand alone GPS, the trouble is the power cables. Too much clutter. If the GPS unit is part of the Car Mount, then there is only one cable. I know it does not sound like much, but 50% reduction in the number of cables is a lot on my dash. ;-)

I use a slightly older version of the Arkon Mount pictured here. http://www.arkon.com/bluetoothgps.html
There is one power cable that goes to the car power outlet. They supply a short cable that goes from a USB socket at the bottom of the mount, to your PPC charge connector. You can see that on the pictures. For trips shorter than my BT rechargeable battery life, &lt;6 hours, I just stick the BT GPS on the dash. Essentially one cable. If the trip is longer, they supply a short cable that plugs into to side of the mount to power the GPS. Really the clutter is minimal. I actually mounted the Arkon using the ProClip mounting system for my Jeep. That puts a shelf right behing the Arkon mount that is a perfect place for the GPS. So I have one cable that powers the mount, a short cable to the PPC and a short cable to the GPS, if needed. And I get to take my GPS along when I travel, and rent a car, which is where i need the GPS most anyway.

[Kris Kumar]

Having a short cable from the mount to the GPS is a very good alternative. 8)